groundsel1

any composite plant of the genus Senecio, especially S. vulgaris, a common weed having clusters of small yellow disk flowers without rays.

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Origin of groundsel1

before 900;Middle Englishgrundeswili(e), groundeswel,Old Englishgrundeswelge, gundeswelge; compare Old Englishgund pus, swelgan to swallow, absorb (from its use in medicine); the -r- is by folk etymology from association with ground1